23.07.2026
After several challenging energy seasons, Ukrainian businesses are increasingly considering self-generation not as a temporary emergency solution, but as part of an operational continuity strategy.
Modular gas-piston solutions are becoming particularly relevant, as they can be used for backup power, supporting critical processes, or creating local energy complexes.
Energy Club spoke with Illia Salikhov, representative of the POWER HUB project in Ukraine, about where an enterprise should start preparing for the installation of its own generation capacity, what mistakes to avoid, and why the choice of equipment should rely on the actual operating scenario of the facility.
— Mr. Illia, many companies today are interested in self-generation. Where should they start?
— I would advise starting not with choosing a specific generator model or even the price. The first step is to understand what exactly the enterprise wants to protect.
Every facility has total consumption, and then there is critical load. These are not always the same thing. For example, an enterprise may have an installed capacity of several megawatts, but for the continuity of its main process, it only needs to power part of its equipment: a pump group, refrigeration units, a packaging line, a security system, IT infrastructure, or emergency lighting.
Therefore, self-generation begins with a very practical question: which processes cannot be stopped, and how much electricity is needed specifically for them.
— So it’s not always necessary to back up the entire facility?
— Exactly. This is one of the most common mistakes — calculating generation based on the total capacity of the enterprise.
In many cases, it is economically and technically more correct to cover the critical loop. This could be 20%, 30%, or 50% of the total load, but this specific part ensures operational continuity, product preservation, control of technological processes, and facility safety.
Of course, there are enterprises that need to back up almost all of their consumption. But this should be determined based on the actual load profile, not by guesswork.
— In which cases can a 250 kW unit be sufficient?
— 250 kW is a practical capacity for many medium-sized facilities or for a dedicated critical load at a large enterprise.
One such unit can be relevant for an agricultural enterprise, a logistics warehouse, a commercial facility, a small production site, municipal infrastructure, water supply, a medical, or a social facility.
However, it is important not only whether 250 kW will be enough. It is important to know how this load operates: continuously or during peak hours, evenly or with inrush currents, in backup mode or regularly. Sometimes a single unit completely solves the task, while other times it is better to combine several modules.
— When is it worth considering multiple units instead of one?
— When the load is higher or when the customer needs flexibility.
A modular approach allows forming a complex of several units. For example, if 500 kW is needed, two units can be used. If 1 MW is needed — four units. This allows scaling the solution to fit a specific facility.
There is another advantage: multiple modules can operate depending on the actual load. It is not always necessary to keep the entire installed capacity running. This can be convenient for enterprises whose consumption varies throughout the day or season.
— What baseline data should a company prepare before contacting a supplier?
— The minimum set is very simple, but it significantly accelerates the conversation.
You need to know the approximate consumption of the facility, the list of critical consumers, the desired operating mode of the generation system, the availability or absence of natural gas, the potential equipment installation location, noise restrictions, and connection requirements.
It is useful to have at least an approximate load schedule. If it is unavailable, you can start with a list of equipment that needs to be powered. Then engineers can evaluate the capacity, starting loads, and optimal configuration.
— How important is the question of gas supply?
— This is one of the key questions. Gas-piston generation makes sense where there is access to natural gas or the ability to provide it. But it is not enough to just say “gas is available.” It is necessary to understand pressure, available volume, supply stability, gas quality, technical specifications, and connection options.
Sometimes gas is available at the facility, but its parameters are insufficient for operating generation in the desired mode. Conversely, there are facilities where a connection can be organized quite quickly if the technical part is properly worked through in advance.
— What needs to be considered regarding the installation site?
— The site is not just a place where the generator physically stands. Delivery access, maintenance accessibility, distances to buildings, exhaust organization, ventilation, noise, connection to the electrical system, personnel safety, and convenience of regular technical inspection must be taken into account.
It is also important to leave space for service. A generator set is equipment that requires service access. If it is placed too tightly, it can create problems after launch.
— How does backup generation differ from regular operation?
— Backup generation usually operates when there is no external power supply or when it is necessary to support critical load during an emergency situation.
Regular operation follows a different logic. In this case, generation becomes part of the enterprise’s energy model. You need to calculate operating hours, gas consumption, service intervals, economics, connection scheme, interaction with the grid, and possible operating modes.
That is, the same equipment can perform different functions, but these scenarios need to be designed differently.
— What mistakes do customers make most often?
— The first mistake is choosing equipment solely based on price.
The second is failing to calculate the critical load and immediately trying to cover the entire installed capacity of the facility.
The third is not checking the gas supply at the beginning. Later it may turn out that the generator is selected and commercial terms are agreed upon, but the gas infrastructure requires additional time or investment.
The fourth is underestimating service. A generator set must work when it is needed. For this, not only equipment specifications matter, but also proper maintenance, spare parts, parameter monitoring, and routine work.
— What is the path from the first inquiry to project launch?
— First, the customer formulates the requirement: what needs to be powered, in what mode, and approximately what capacity needs to be provided.
Then the baseline data is analyzed: load, gas, site, electrical scheme, operating requirements. After that, configuration can be discussed — one unit or several, backup mode or regular operation, whether synchronization is needed or not.
Next come commercial terms, delivery, site preparation, installation, connection, testing, commissioning, and launch into operation.
The availability of equipment significantly shortens one of the stages — waiting for manufacturing or delivery. However, technical preparation of the facility still needs to be done correctly.
— What affects implementation timelines the most?
— Not just the availability of the generator. Timelines are affected by site readiness, gas supply, electrical scheme, the need for synchronization, preparation of cable lines, approval of internal technical solutions by the customer, logistics, and installation organization.
It happens that equipment is available, but the facility is not ready. Therefore, we always advise companies to start preparation in advance. Even if a purchasing decision has not been made yet, it is worth understanding where the unit can be placed, what load it should cover, and whether gas parameters are sufficient.
— What role does service play after launch?
— A very important one. The unit must not just start once. It must operate stably when the enterprise relies on it. This requires routine maintenance, parameter control, proper operation, timely replacement of consumables, and the use of original spare parts.
Service is part of reliability. Especially if generation is used for critical processes.
— What would you advise enterprises that are currently preparing for the next autumn-winter period?
— Do not wait for the moment when generation becomes urgently needed. You should start with a simple internal analysis: which processes are critical, what capacity needs to be secured, whether gas is available, where equipment can be placed, and who will be responsible for operation.
After that, you can speak specifically with a supplier and select a solution.
Self-generation is not just buying a generator. It is a management decision about enterprise resilience. And the earlier a company starts preparing, the higher the chances of getting a solution that will truly work for its needs.
— What role can the POWER HUB KT-250GF play in this?
— POWER HUB KT-250GF can be a practical solution for companies that need modular gas-piston generation with a capacity from 250 kW and above.
Today, 10 units of 250 kW each are available for the Ukrainian market. This makes it possible to create solutions both for an individual facility and for a higher-capacity complex by combining several units.
But the main thing is to properly define the task. If it is clear what load needs to be covered, what operating mode is planned, and what technical conditions the facility has, then the equipment can be integrated much more effectively.
— Where can companies get additional information?
— Companies can reach out for technical information, commercial proposals, and consultations regarding potential configurations for a specific facility.
For an initial conversation, it is desirable to have basic information about the facility, approximate load, operating mode, and gas supply availability. This will allow transitioning faster from a general consultation to a practical solution.
